Rimsha Masih, a Christian girl accused of blasphemy, was finally released from jail and flown off to an undisclosed location on Saturday. She was, however, taken into the ‘protective custody’ of the government due to security reasons.
Live broadcasts showed heavily-armed police surrounding Rimsha, who was covering her face with a green scarf as she walked to the helicopter. The dramatic nature of Rimsha’s release underlined the fear for her life.
Under court orders, the 11-year-old was released from Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, after being held there for over three weeks following her arrest on August 16 for allegedly burning papers that contained Quranic verses. Soon after Rimsha’s arrest, a local cleric who had accused her was detained on suspicion of planting false evidence on her.
Even before the cleric’s arrest, Rimsha’s case provoked international concern because of her young age and reported mental problems.
An additional sessions judge granted Rimsha bail on Friday, which was posted at Rs1 million.
Once out of her cell, Rimsha was escorted into an armoured personnel carrier (APC) guarded by police commandos and air-lifted to an undisclosed location.
Despite her release, the girl remains ‘detained’ – but this time for her own safety, said an official of the city administration.
Sources said the girl was united with her family who were already shifted to the secret place located within the limits of the city.
Minister for National Harmony Paul Bhatti confirmed Rimsha’s release.
“She has been freed from the jail and was transported by a helicopter to a safe place. Her family members received her,” Bhatti told AFP.
Secret location
“Rimsha and her family will be shifted to some other place out of Islamabad on Sunday,” a police official said on the condition of anonymity.
A senior city administration officer said the girl could not be sent back to her hometown of Mehrabadia, a suburb of Islamabad, despite a considerable decrease in hostility against the girl and her family by the Muslim community of the area.
“After the arrest of the cleric, Khalid Jadoon Chishti, last week, some of his supporters once again provoked people against the Christian community,” said the administration officer, adding that the level of support for Chishti could not be termed as massive.
The ministry of interior, however, chose not to underestimate the security situation. Following a security plan, Rimsha was flown to multiple places before the chopper finally dropped her at the final location, which had already been decided. Heavy contingents of police were deployed inside the premises of the location, said the police officer.
Going abroad?
Rumours were rife that Rimsha might be sent overseas to avoid any untoward situation, but chances remain unlikely since she could be summoned by the court.
She can, however, be exempted from appearing before the court for being a minor, according to a senior law officer of the government.
Furthermore, officials of the interior ministry, city administration or city police could not confirm whether Rimsha would be sent abroad, as suggested by some reports. However, sources said it could be a long term security option.
Minister of State on Interfaith Harmony Akram Masih Gill told The Express Tribune: “Rimsha is going nowhere. She will be staying with her family in Islamabad.”
“It is the responsibility of the state to provide full security to Rimsha and her family. Rimsha’s case is a test case in the country’s history. We have to change the mindset,” Gill said.
Bhatti also denied that Rimsha would be sent abroad.
Cleric’s remand
Meanwhile, Chishti was sent on a 14-day judicial remand in Adiala Jail following his arrest early last week. He was booked for defiling the Holy Quran under section 295 B after a witness revealed that the cleric planted charred pages that were allegedly recovered from Rimsha.
Two more witnesses supported his claims and recorded their statements against the cleric. Police said Chishti did not confess to his act; however, he never challenged the claims of the witnesses either.
If convicted of blasphemy, the cleric could face a life sentence. The next hearing of the case will be held on September 16.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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@paki christian: Forgive the Imam, you must be kidding!!
Hasan Cheema, sir you know your 'young girls' a little too well...suspicious!
Crisis is over.
She is not looking 11 year old at all, she is at least 16 or 17
Now this fake mullah will fell in the same well which she digged for the child.
This shows how we protect our non Muslim country fellows! hail to Mullas...
The sympathetic media in Pakistan and the outside world played up the misplaced rhetoric of ill-informed and largely illiterate clergy while the mainstream clergy was out to defend the girl. The clerics of acknowledged credentials dubbed the girl as “daughter of the nation”. This case may prove to be a watershed in reforming the law on blasphemy and protect those who are targeted for personal enmity misusing the law. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first blasphemy case we’ve seen come out of Pakistan, but the country has been singled out while ignoring some bizarre blasphemy cases being dealt with more severely elsewhere in the world . Read more at: http://passivevoices.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/some-bizarre-blasphemy-cases-played-down-by-international-media/
To the cleric who trapped her in the case: Dear molvi sab., I'm sure you are feeling extremely jealous of Rimsha whom you tried to judicially kill (for some personal enmity I guess) by declaring her a blasphemer and she is instead flying in the helicopter (ride of her life) and she'll probably be shifted abroad and will live the rest of her life in a caring loving environment as is provided to down's patients. And you ll keep living that pathetic rusted life that you were living before. It is, therefore, concluded that you better mind your won business in future and get some EDUCATION! Note: Being a Muslim, I cannot and will not tolerate any disgrace or insult to my Prophet (P.B.U.H.) or Quran or anything related to my religion but this law needs to be implemented wisely
Feels both sad and happy at the same time.
Australia , USA , UK or Canada are the only safe locations
Which shows nothing is right in this country.
Praise God! justice is served! i request you to forgive the imam, as he already learned a lesson!
Great news to hear she has been released and so sad that that she has to be protected from Muslims. Shameful isn't it? I say good luck Rimsha. Very soon you might leave this land of pure and live freely elsewhere.
The accused then 14 now 11 years old baby girl leaving lavishly under laws protection for a secret location. What a country! Anyways, what better can you expect when you have so much to borrow for her elders.
our agencies are not sleeping ...i hope ....the zonist lobbies Pakistanis and foreigners are constantly trying to demolish our basic principles .... this matter should be investigated and .. as the there are too many conspiracy theories around it .....What the Hell a Molvi has to do with 11 year old when she has never gone to mosque being a Christian ... this case is toally in Gray same as Raymond Davis Case ..